16 U.S.C. § 779 — Untitled legal text

Page 1361 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 785 thorized the Secretary of the Interior to promote stud- ies, conduct research and experiments, and construct and lease experiment and demonstration plants. The authority of the Secretary under these sections expired at the expiration of five years from Nov. 2, 1966 by the express terms of section 778h of this title. Section 778f was amended by Pub. L. 90–549, Oct. 4, 1968, 82 Stat. 936. CHAPTER 10D—STATE COMMERCIAL FISH- ERIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS §§ 779 to 779f. Repealed. Pub. L. 99–659, title III, § 309, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3736 Section 779, Pub. L. 88–309, § 2, May 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 197; 1970 Reorg. Plan No. 4, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090; Pub. L. 94–273, § 4(3), Apr. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 377; Pub. L. 94–485, § 1(1), Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2326, de- fined terms used in this chapter. Section 779a, Pub. L. 88–309, § 3, May 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 197; 1970 Reorg. Plan No. 4, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090, related to cooperation with States on projects for the research and development of commer- cial fisheries resources, joint projects between States, consent to interstate compacts, and reservation of right to alter, amend or repeal consent. Section 779b, Pub. L. 88–309, § 4, May 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 197; Pub. L. 90–551, §§ 1–3, Oct. 4, 1968, 82 Stat. 957; 1970 Reorg. Plan No. 4, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090; Pub. L. 92–590, §§ 1–3, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1303; Pub. L. 95–53, June 22, 1977, 91 Stat. 249; Pub. L. 96–262, § 1, June 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 437; Pub. L. 97–389, title I, § 101, Dec. 29, 1982, 96 Stat. 1949, authorized appropriations to carry out this chapter. Section 779c, Pub. L. 88–309, § 5, May 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 198; Pub. L. 94–273, § 3(3), Apr. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 376; Pub. L. 94–485, § 1(2), (3), Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2326, provided for apportionment among States of funds appropriated under former section 779b of this title. Section 779d, Pub. L. 88–309, § 6, May 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 198; Pub. L. 94–485, § 1(4), Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2326, pro- vided for approval of projects for funding, and payment of benefits, under this chapter. Section 779e, Pub. L. 88–309, § 7, May 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 199, related to working conditions on projects funded, and to disposal of property acquired, under this chap- ter. Section 779f, Pub. L. 88–309, § 8, May 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 199, authorized promulgation of rules and regulations. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF REPEAL Repeal effective Oct. 1, 1987, see section 310 of Pub. L. 99–659, set out as an Effective Date note under section 4101 of this title. CHAPTER 11—REGULATION OF LANDING, CURING, AND SALE OF SPONGES TAKEN FROM GULF OF MEXICO AND STRAITS OF FLORIDA Sec. 781. Taking or catching, in waters of Gulf or Straits of Florida, commercial sponges of less than prescribed size, and landing or possession of same. 782. Sponges of less than prescribed size; posses- sion prima facie evidence. 783. Punishment for violations of law; liability of vessels. 784. Jurisdiction of prosecutions. 785. Enforcement of law prohibiting taking of sponges of specified sizes; employment of Coast Guard vessels and Customs Service employees. § 781. Taking or catching, in waters of Gulf or Straits of Florida, commercial sponges of less than prescribed size, and landing or posses- sion of same It is unlawful for any citizen of the United States, or person owing duty of obedience to the laws of the United States, or any boat or vessel of the United States, or person belonging to or on any such boat or vessel, to take or catch, by any means or method, in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State territorial limits, any commercial sponges measuring when wet less than five inches in their maximum diameter, or for any person or vessel to land, deliver, cure, offer for sale, or have in possession at any port or place in the United States, or on any boat or vessel of the United States, any such commercial sponges. (Aug. 15, 1914, ch. 253, § 1, 38 Stat. 692.) § 782. Sponges of less than prescribed size; pos- session prima facie evidence The presence of sponges of a diameter of less than five inches on any vessel or boat of the United States engaged in sponging in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State territorial limits, or the posses- sion of any sponges of less than the said diame- ter sold or delivered by such vessels, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provi- sions of this chapter. (Aug. 15, 1914, ch. 253, § 2, 38 Stat. 692.) § 783. Punishment for violations of law; liability of vessels Every person, partnership, or association guilty of a violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be liable to a fine of not more than $500, and in addition such fine shall be a lien against the vessel or boat on which the offense is committed, and said vessel or boat shall be seized and proceeded against by process of libel in any court having jurisdiction of the offense. (Aug. 15, 1914, ch. 253, § 3, 38 Stat. 692.) § 784. Jurisdiction of prosecutions Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be prosecuted in the district court of the United States of the district wherein the of- fender is found or into which he is first brought. (Aug. 15, 1914, ch. 253, § 4, 38 Stat. 692.) § 785. Enforcement of law prohibiting taking of sponges of specified sizes; employment of Coast Guard vessels and Customs Service employees The Secretary of Commerce shall enforce the provisions of this chapter, and he is authorized to empower such officers and employees of the Department of Commerce as he may designate, or such officers and employees of other depart- ments as may be detailed for the purpose, to make arrests and seize vessels and sponges, and upon his request the Secretary of the Treasury may employ the vessels of the Coast Guard or the employees of the Customs Service to that end.